City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 6, 2024, 7:00 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Lisa Anderson, https://cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist and Jace Cotton Call to Order The City Council Regular meeting was called to order by Council President Hammill at 7:00pm. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 1. On May 20, 2024, the City Council will hold a public hearing to consider a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone to multi-family zoned sub areas 8, 9 and 13 in the Silver Beach Neighborhood AND consideration of revisions to the stormwater regulations in BMC 16.80 pertaining to new multi-family development and redevelopment of existing multi-family properties in the Silver Beach Neighborhood. 2. On June 3, 2024, the City Council will hold two public hearings. The first hearing will consider amendments to BMC 20.37.330, increasing the allowed height for certain properties. The second hearing will consider a development agreement between the City of Bellingham and a contract purchaser regarding proposed development of property generally located at the northwest corner of 11th Street and Mill Ave, commonly referred to as the Pit. 3. The Bellingham City Council has been invited to participate in an informational Growth Management Coordination update. This meeting is the third in a quarterly series convened by the County Executive to provide a forum for elected officials from the County and cities to discuss and review issues associated with growth management planning in relation to the 2025 periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan. Roll Call Present: Council President Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Presentation City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes 24097 1. 2024 State Legislative Session Update p. 6 State Representative Alex Ramel, 40th Legislative District, State Representative Debra Lekanoff, 40th Legislative District, State Representative Joe Timmons, 42nd Legislative District, and State Senator Sharon Shewmake, 42nd Legislative District, summarized activity from the 2024 State Legislative Session. Council Members discussed their efforts, possible collaborations, and asked questions. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24098 1. Mayor's Reappointment to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission p. 7 (Information) Mayor Lund reappointed Bri O'Hare as the Lettered Streets Neighborhood Representative to her final term, which will expire on May 10, 2026. 24096 2. Appointments to Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) (Approval) p. 10 Mayor Lund presented a slate of candidates for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) that was approved by the Whatcom County Council on April 9, 2024. Hannah Stone / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval of the proposed candidates for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) including, Rika Valladares Erik McFrazier Gabriela Montenegro J. Manuel Reta Khushdip Kaur Brar Terrance “TeeJay” Morris Rachel Rosalinda Rodriguez Brett Muskavage Eric Scott, J.D. Frank Lee Jason McGill Lance Edward Jones Zeenia Junkeer Yazil A. Dhilpe Castro Julieta Garcia Suarez Scott Ryckman Chao-ying Wu, MD Lucia Zamora Chamorro Martha L. Lopez, EdD City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor Lund highlighted a recent staff communication expressing a commitment to creating a safe and respectful workspace. Mayor Lund shared that she, Chief Hewett, and County partners are meeting this week with Lummi Nation members to discuss recent emergency response concerns. Mayor Lund will speak to the Downtown Neighborhood Association on May 8th at Boundary Bay Brewing and encouraged all community members to attend. Mayor Lund announced the Small and Simple Grant Program is accepting applications through May 31, 2024. Learn more online at www.cob.org/services/planning/neighborhoods/grants-funding. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources 10:00 AM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist 24097 1. Contract Award for Woburn Street Site Maintenance and Operation Facilities p. 110 Improvements Project (EF171) Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, and Mike Olinger, Assistant Director of Operations, provided a summary of the contract award #1B-2024 for the Woburn Street Site Maintenance and Operation Facilities Improvement Project. The project constructs a shared operations facility for the Parks and Public Works Department, including two new secure storage facilities, a shared bulk materials storage area, winter brine center, and a larger work area for the Parks nursery program. There will also be enhanced pedestrian crossings, a raised crosswalk on Old Woburn Street, an enhanced flashing crosswalk on Woburn Street, and ADA sidewalk/ramp improvements along Woburn Street and Old Woburn Street. Council Members discussed the contract and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to award contract No.1B-2024, Project EF171, for Woburn Street Site Maintenance and Operation Facilities Improvements Project to Faber Construction Corporation as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of their bid, which is $6,876,228.75, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24098 2. Pedestrian Master Plan and Bicycle Master Plan Updates p. 125 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes  Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, Joel Pfundt, Assistant Director of Transportation, and Tim Wilder, Vice Chair of the Transportation Commission, presented proposed updates to the pedestrian and bicycle master plans. Director Johnston introduced Dylan Casper who recently joined the City as a Transportation Planner. The discussion focused on additional facility design, network recommendations, maintenance, and policy improvements to the current plans. The Transportation Commission endorsed the modifications at their April 9, 2024 meeting. More information is available online. Council Members discussed the proposed modifications, provided feedback, and asked questions. Community and Economic Development 11:15 AM Jace Cotton, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman 24101 1. 2024 HUD Consolidated Action Plan p. 143 Council Member Stone recused herself from the meeting due to her role as a Board Member on the Opportunity Council. Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, and Samya Lutz, Housing and Services Program Manager, presented the 2024 Federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Annual Action Plan. The plan identifies activities to be funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) during the July-June program year. Council Members discussed the action plan, provided feedback, and asked questions. Jace Cotton / Hollie Huthman moved final approval of Resolution #2024-05. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Recused: Hannah Stone Committee Of The Whole 1:00 PM Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24102 1. Update from Port of Bellingham p. 155 Rob Fix, Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham, provided an update on the waterfront projects and the Bellingham shipping terminal. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. 24103 2. Request for Council to Send a Letter of Support for Grant Funding for Community p. 156 Court Darlene Peterson, Court Director, and Leticia Nunez, Therapeutic Court Manager, presented a letter requesting Council's support for grant funding from the Administrative Office of the Courts City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes  for the City's Community Court Program launching this fall. Council Members discussed the grant funding support letter and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the grant support letter for funding the City of Bellingham's Community Court Program. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24104 3. Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Regarding the Public Health, Safety, and p. 159 Justice Facility Financing and the Use of Sales Tax Revenues Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) which governs the use of the additional two-tenths of one percent sales and use tax for public health, safety, and justice authorized by voters in the November 2023 Election. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Regarding the Public Health, Safety, and Justice Facility Financing and the Use of Sales Tax Revenues. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24105 4. An Ordinance Creating a Fund to Account for the New Two-Tenths of One Percent p. 194 Sales and Use Tax for Public Health, Safety, and Justice Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented a draft ordinance, which creates a fund to account for the new two-tenths of one percent sales and use tax for Public Health, Safety, and Justice. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24106 5. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 13 p. 197 Mayor Lund, Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented a draft budget ordinance, amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget. The ordinance amends the 2023-2024 Budget by adding revenues and expenses to account for the new Public Health, Safety, and Justice Sales Tax and adds 2.0 full-time equivalents and associated expenses in the Mayor's Office. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes 24088 6. Work Session Regarding the Draft Urban Forest Plan p. 203 Mayor Lund, Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, and Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, and Nicole Oliver, Parks and Recreation Director, returned to Council to discuss the Urban Forest Plan (UFP). On April 15, 2024, staff presented key elements of the plan and Council requested additional time for questions and discussion of the draft plan. Council provided additional feedback to the administration on the plan. 24107 7. Review of Lake Whatcom Management Program Draft Five-Year Work Plan p. 239 Council Member Stone presented the Lake Whatcom Management Program Draft Five-Year Work Plan. The 2025 - 2029 document outlines the efforts that local entities will implement over the next five years to further the goals of the Lake Whatcom Management Program. The Lake Whatcom Policy Group is requesting Council's input and anticipates final Council approval of the plan later in 2024. Council Members discussed the work plan and asked questions. 8. Old/New Business No discussion items. Executive Session 3:40 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Marriner, approx. 5 mins.) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Property Acquisition (Marriner, approx. 5 mins.) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Litigation: Lohse v. NWYS and the City of Bellingham (Erb, approx. 10 mins.) Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 4. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy (Monahan, approx. 10 mins.) Staff provided information on a labor relations matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 5. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 5 mins.) - ITEM ADDED 5/3/24 Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition totaling 0.6 acres with one potential development unit. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes  Lisa Anderson / Hollie Huthman moved to authorize the Mayor to close the real estate transaction described in the City’s executed purchase and sale agreement with the property owner, Ellie Anderson, with a purchase price of $25,000 and with closing to occur on or around May 17, 2024. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 6. Potential Litigation (Kraham, approx 10 mins.) - ITEM ADDED 5/3/24 Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. Consent Agenda All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial items and may be approved in a single motion. A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 24108 1. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued April 05, 2024 through April 11, 2024 p. 242 24109 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued April 12, 2024 through April 18, 2024 p. 243 24110 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued April 19, 2024 through April 25, 2024 p. 244 24111 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated April 1, 2024 to April 15, 2024 p. 245 24112 5. First Modification to Transportation Fund Grant Agreement City of Bellingham- p. 246 Whatcom Transportation Authority Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure at Cordata Station - City Contract #C2300138 24113 6. Approval of the 3/27/2024 Special Council Meeting Minutes: Lake Whatcom p. 252 Cooperative Management Program Annual Joint Council and Commissioners Meeting 24114 7. Approval of the 4/8/2024 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 255 24115 8. Approval of the 4/15/2024 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 267 Michael Lilliquist / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24089 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget – Amendment No. 12 p. 280 Lisa Anderson / Hollie Huthman moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes  AYES: Hammill, Stone, Huthman, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2024-05-014. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from 16 individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham (cob.org). Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25pm. Daniel Hammill, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 5/20/2024 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 5/6/2024 Minutes